Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Shui Bing'er's trials?
As long as Tang Lan was here, they were definitely passing.
—Such absolute, blind trust.
"I will have someone escort you there," Oya stated. "The Sea God's Light is located in a restricted area, 200 kilometers from here. You should replenish your supplies before setting off."
Tang Lan and the group lifted their storage rings.
"Our supplies are already fully stocked."
Oya nodded, saying no more.
Without a word, a purple-robed sea spirit master stepped forward and bowed respectfully to Tang Lan's group.
"Honored guests, please follow me."
They waved farewell to Oya and departed.
Once outside the Seahorse Sacred Pillar's domain—
Tang Lan took out the Divine Wind Boat, invited the sea spirit master aboard, and took off at full speed.
200 kilometers took only an hour.
The rippling sea waters, bathed in the glow of the setting sun, reflected countless colors.
At the center of the ocean's embrace was a small island.
The island rose 500 meters high, enveloped in a soft golden glow—a natural radiance.
At its core—
Stood a magnificent white jade structure.
From below, one could only see colossal stone pillars forming its outermost perimeter.
Its crystalline material shimmered with a divine brilliance.
This was—
🔹 The Sea God's Hall.
Before the Sea God's Hall,
A staircase of 1,001 steps descended toward them.
Under the sunset's golden light—
The white stone steps reflected a soft glow, resembling a smooth, jade-like ribbon.
A breathtaking sight!
The purple-robed sea spirit master cautioned—
"During the trial, if the burden becomes unbearable, retreating quickly from the divine mountain will prevent injuries."
"Furthermore, only those undergoing the trial may ascend. Others must remain here."
Shui Yue'er let out a small sigh, stepping back without hesitation.
"I'll wait for you all here."
The group nodded.
🔹 Those who could fly used their flying soul skills or soul bones.
🔹 Those who couldn't flew using Oscar's Flight Mushroom Sausage.
They soared toward the golden barrier surrounding the mountain.
As they approached, their bodies radiated corresponding trial colors, granting them unhindered access.
This must have been a verification process.
Among them—
🔹 Tang Lan and Xiao Wu's group of three radiated golden light, forming an extremely large protective glow.
—Big enough to accommodate several others.
Tang Lan turned back toward Shui Yue'er and gestured for her to come over.
Without hesitation, Shui Yue'er ate a Flight Mushroom Sausage and flew into the golden glow's embrace.
The sea spirit master tensed up!
He stared at the water, ready to intervene at any moment.
But aside from gentle waves rolling, nothing else happened.
Protected by the golden light, Shui Yue'er safely reached the opposite shore, landing before the staircase.
"I'll go first!" Dai Mubai volunteered.
With a powerful burst forward, he attempted to charge up multiple steps in one go!
"BANG—!"
The faster he rushed in, the faster he was sent flying back out.
Oscar and Jing Ling barely managed to catch him.
"Mubai, don't be reckless."
Since they were among allies, Tang Lan didn't bother putting on an act.
He explained the mechanics—
"The Sea God's Light is a defensive barrier that repels all physical and energy-based attacks. Only enhancement and protective abilities can be used."
"As you ascend, the pressure increases dramatically. Each step raises the burden by 10%."
"However, training within the Sea God's Light accelerates cultivation and strengthens the body."
"So, refrain from using soul skills or enhancements at first. Climb as high as you can under your own strength, then start training there."
"We'll be staying here for the next year."
Everyone was used to Tang Lan's extensive knowledge, taking his words at face value.
Dai Mubai, however, muttered resentfully—
"Sect Master, were you just waiting for me to make a fool of myself?"
"You didn't ask me, did you?" Tang Lan shrugged innocently.
Dai Mubai had no choice but to suck it up.
He obediently stepped onto the staircase, ascending one step at a time.
The others followed suit.
Shui Yue'er's Surprise Inclusion!
Only Shui Yue'er remained standing.
"You should go too," Tang Lan said. "The Sea God's Light is an incredible resource—soak in it as much as you can."
"Huh?" Shui Yue'er blinked. "But I wasn't assigned a trial. Is this allowed?"
Though hesitant,
Her blind trust in Tang Lan made her step forward anyway.
She took the first step.
Immediately, her body felt slightly heavier.
But—
Having trained extensively under Zhao Wuji's Gravity Soul Skill,
This level of pressure was…
Practically nothing.
The slight pressure was barely an issue.
The nine of them ascended rapidly in one go.
Even though Dai Mubai and the others were much lower-leveled compared to the original story,
Thanks to Tang Lan's training and their specialized cultivation methods,
Their physiques were far superior.
Especially—
🔹 Dai Mubai, Zhu Zhuqing, and Shui Bing'er, whose martial souls had evolved,
🔹 And Xiao Wu, who naturally had a powerful physique—
They left the others behind.
The four of them ascended past the 30th step before stopping.
At this point—
They could barely continue.
They could have activated soul skills to climb higher,
But since Tang Lan had told them to remain here for training,
They obediently followed his instructions.
They retreated slightly, searching for the highest level they could endure permanently.
Eventually—
🔹 Xiao Wu, the highest-level member, settled on the 29th step.
🔹 Zhu Zhuqing, slightly lower, stopped at the 23rd step.
🔹 Dai Mubai tested the 21st step but ultimately retreated to the 20th step.
🔹 Shui Bing'er found her limit at the 18th step.
🔹 At Rank 37, Ning Rongrong managed to withstand up to the 16th step.
Unexpectedly—
🔹 Tang San, despite being Rank 32 and lacking immortal herbs, lasted up to the 15th step.
Though he lacked the Heavenly Herbs,
🔹 His Mysterious Heaven Technique was still extraordinary,
🔹 And his constant forging had strengthened his physique considerably.
Meanwhile—
🔹 Water Mooner (Shui Yue'er), also Rank 32, could only manage the 10th step.
From this—
🔹 Tang San's potential was still far beyond Shui Yue'er's.
Jing Ling settled at the 12th step, performing at an average level.
But the most shocking result was—
🔹 Oscar!
Even though he climbed slowly,
He steadily surpassed everyone—
Reaching the 30th step!
And moments later—
Instead of moving further or retreating, he simply sat down cross-legged and began cultivating his Nine Yang Divine Art!
A Rank 43 food-type soul master was actually one step higher than a Rank 62 Xiao Wu?!
Everyone was stunned.
Except—
🔹 Tang Lan, who found this completely reasonable.
After all—
🔹 Oscar had five soul bones, all of which enhanced his physique.
🔹 Two of them were particularly powerful—a 100,000-year soul bone and an 80,000-year soul bone.
🔹 His Nine Yang Divine Art, boosted by medicinal elixirs, was already nearing the third layer.
Reaching the 30th step was actually a conservative estimate.
After adapting—
He'd likely go even higher.
Seeing that everyone had settled into their positions,
Tang Lan finally took his first step.
Without using any external power,
He relied purely on his physique.
He easily walked to the 30th step, only slightly slowing down.
Still, his steps remained steady as he continued climbing.
At the 40th step, his pace slowed further.
At the 50th step, his body finally began trembling slightly.
And finally—
After gritting his teeth to reach the 55th step, he stopped.
Because in the original story—
🔹 Tang San, even with his Blue Silver Domain and Killing God Domain fully activated, along with the Eight Spider Lances, only managed to reach the 55th step.
And that was with—
🔹 Twice the intensity of Sea God's Light.
Tang Lan was enduring three times the intensity.
And yet—
🔹 He had reached the same point as Tang San—
🔹 Using only his physique!
He turned back—
🔹 Looking at Tang San, stuck at the 15th step.
Heh.
A mere casual effort…
Yet it was already the limit of this small fry.
Tang Lan gazed upward,
Then rolled his neck slightly.
It was time to get serious.
(End of Chapter)